Pain caused by Teething

Painful Teething: How to Manage the Discomfort

Teething is a milestone for both parents and babies that can also cause a lot of pain. It's important to understand what to expect and how to help your baby cope during this time. Here's some tips to help manage your baby's teething pain.

Understanding Teething Pain

Teething begins as early as 3 months, but the most common time period is between 4 and 7 months. During this time, your baby may be cranky and irritable, experience swollen gums, have slight fever, and hassle when trying to eat or sleep. It is normal for babies to experience pain when teething, especially when new teeth start to break through the gums. In fact, teething can be quite uncomfortable for many babies.

Tips to Help Manage Baby's Teething Pain

Here are a few ways you can help ease your baby’s teething pain.

• Use a clean finger or wet gauze to massage your baby’s gums.
• Massage your baby’s gums with a chilled — not frozen — teething ring or other teething object made for babies.
• Offer your baby a cold drink or cold food like yogurt or applesauce.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen if advised by your baby’s doctor.
• Check to see if your baby is gnawing on toys or other objects more often and consider offering teething biscuits or other age-appropriate teething objects.

When to See a Doctor

If your baby has a mild fever that persists or a fever that is higher than 101°F (38.3°C) for more than 24 hours, contact your baby’s pediatrician. Also, contact your doctor if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your baby’s teething pain.